CHAPEL HILL — It was actually fitting for the SEC to reign supreme throughout the SEC/ACC Challenge, especially in Chapel Hill.
Because for members of the Chatham County community who watched either from the comfort of their couch or just rows away from the court in the Dean Smith Center, the top-20 non-conference matchup between No. 10 Alabama and No. 20 UNC on Dec. 4 just meant more.
UNC’s Drake Powell, the McDonald’s All-American out of Northwood High School in Pittsboro, and Alabama’s Jarin Stevenson, the 2022-23 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year out of Seaforth High School also in Pittsboro, took the court together for the first time on the collegiate level as the Crimson Tide defeated the Tar Heels 94-79.
Fans of high school hoops in Chatham County and the state of North Carolina have seen those two share the court numerous times over the years both as brief teammates at Northwood and eventual cross-town rivals. But for such a short ride from their hometown, the two have come a long way from the days of green and garnet.
“Just remembering them back in their freshman year of high school when they played together and seeing how much they’ve grown since then, it’s pretty cool to see that they’re both playing on a high level,” Jarod Stevenson, Jarin’s father and former high school coach, said.
As big as a night it was for the county, it was just as important for Stevenson and Powell, and not just because they were playing each other.
For Stevenson, the 6-foot-11 forward entered the starting lineup for the first time since Nov. 15 after double-digit scoring games in the previous two outings showed signs that he was coming out of his early-season shooting slump (started 0-17 from three in the first six games). It was also a homecoming game for Stevenson as he had over 20 family members show up for his first game back in Chapel Hill.
“It was definitely a surreal feeling,” Stevenson said. “I’ve been to quite a few of their games, and my mom played here, too. It’s nice being back.”
For Powell, he made his first career start as his impressive defensive presence, his 18-point breakout performance against Michigan State in the Maui Invitational and the Tar Heels’ dire need for change (veteran leadership off the bench from Jae’Lyn Withers according to UNC coach Hubert Davis) helped lead up to that moment.
“It’s a step in the right direction, personally, but I’m trying to focus on just getting wins as a collective group,” Powell said.
Said Cherice Powell, Drake’s mother, “It was great to see. I recorded it. I had a lot of friends who recorded it and sent it to me as well. He had told us he thought that he might be starting, so then just to see it was very exciting.”
Although the county got its proud moment from the tip-off, it didn’t look like the old Battles for Pittsboro until the second half.
After scoreless first halves from both Powell and Stevenson, the two got going with their own share of highlights, and even some shared moments.
Powell came out of the break with a flashy drive and dime to Jalen Washington to bring UNC within seven, and minutes later, Stevenson hit a huge three to put Alabama’s lead back up to 10 points.
Then, they had a direct back-and-forth moment with 16 minutes left to play. Stevenson hit his second three of the game and then matched up on Powell in the corner on the ensuing possession. Powell used a ball fake and a quick first step to beat Stevenson around the baseline and finish at the rim.
“Drake’s a great player,” Stevenson said. “He’s a great guy. It was great going up against him in the game. He showed off some moves, and I hit some shots, too.”
Said Powell, “It was great to see Jarin. He competed well, and obviously, he came out with the win, but sharing the floor with him, I thought it was great.”
And on a night on which the bitter Hawk and Charger rivals from the community came together to watch the hometown stars on the same floor, Stevenson and Powell’s near identical stat lines were the finishing act.
Stevenson and Powell both finished with 6 points and three rebounds. Powell added on two assists and two steals, while Stevenson recorded an assist and a block.
“It’s not too many cities and areas that have two top-20 guys in the class or on the same team in the same area,” Jarod Stevenson said. “Or two potential NBA players. It’s pretty special, I think, and it says a lot about the county and what kind of athletes are here.”